Perfect Grandma’s Homemade Sweet Tea Recipe Easy Sun-Brewed Method
A traditional sun-brewed sweet tea recipe passed down through generations, offering a smooth, mellow flavor perfect for summer gatherings and slow moments.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes to 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon (3.8 liters) filtered water
- 6 black tea bags
- 1 to 1 ½ cups (200–300 grams) granulated sugar, adjust to taste
- Lemon slices (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Fill your jar with 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of filtered water. Make sure the jar is clean and dry.
- Add the 6 black tea bags to the water. Gently press them down so they’re fully submerged but don’t squeeze them.
- Place the jar outside in direct sunlight for 3 to 4 hours to sun-brew the tea.
- After 3 to 4 hours, carefully bring the jar inside and remove the tea bags one by one.
- Add 1 cup (200 grams) of sugar to the warm tea and stir well with a wooden spoon until fully dissolved. Adjust sweetness by adding more sugar if desired.
- Optionally, add lemon slices and fresh mint leaves and stir gently.
- Chill the sweet tea in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Serve over ice and enjoy.
Notes
Use filtered water for best taste. Do not squeeze tea bags to avoid bitterness. Stir sugar while tea is warm to dissolve fully. Remove tea bags after brewing to prevent bitterness. Chill tea for at least 1 hour before serving. On cloudy days, brewing indoors with hot water is possible but flavor differs. Avoid metal containers to prevent taste alteration.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 fl oz (240 ml)
- Calories: 90120
- Sugar: 2430
- Carbohydrates: 2430
Keywords: sweet tea, sun-brewed tea, homemade sweet tea, southern sweet tea, iced tea, summer drink, traditional tea recipe